Javelin / TriMech Author
James Swackhammer
In part 2 of the easy SOLIDWORKS cabinet making series I am going to separate the front face of the body for drawers and create bottom door pieces. You can catch up with part 1 here » Continuing with the SOLIDWORKS Split tool because it…
In this four part cabinet woodworking series I’m going to go through the steps for designing a large wooden cabinet using SOLIDWORKS, the cabinet shown below is typically for a front entrance way. I have seen SOLIDWORKS used for just about everything. Don’t believe me?…
SOLIDWORKS In-Context Assembly Display Techniques
By James Swackhammer on October 28, 2020
Remember playing hide and seek with your friends? I played that game with my friends for hours until our moms yelled out the door to get our behinds in the house for bed time. Playing hide and seek with your SOLIDWORKS assembly parts while editing…
Getting the Perfect SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Miter Flange
By James Swackhammer on October 17, 2020
Getting the perfect fitment with sheet metal could make you look like a king or queen among designers and friends with the welder/fitters. They shall dance and sing to the all Supreme of sheet metal miters…. Although SOLIDWORKS Miter (mitre) Flange is a command that…
SOLIDWORKS Advanced Part Design using Equations & Configurations
By James Swackhammer on June 9, 2020
At Javelin, we teach a lot of SOLIDWORKS training classes that have great techniques, I’ve often said: ” Oooooooh! Wish I knew that years ago.” So, this article describes SOLIDWORKS Advanced Part Design techniques with the creation of an automotive wheel/rim using equations and configurations….
Adding SOLIDWORKS Assembly Configuration BOM Headers
By James Swackhammer on June 5, 2020
SOLIDWORKS Configurations are a great thing. I have spoken many times about how great they are and how big of a fan I am. I came across a major release revert that took away the automatic naming of configuration name titles/headers. I tested this automatic…
Using a 3D Sketch instead of 2D for the SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard
By James Swackhammer on June 2, 2020
We are all used to the standard method of applying SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard holes. In the Feature tab click on Hole Wizard, select the size, click the Position tab and place the hole in the part. Easy-peasy right? There are times where we must design…
How to personalize SOLIDWORKS with a Custom Tab
By James Swackhammer on June 1, 2020
To each their own. Whatever floats your boat. These are the cliché quotes I think about when it comes to making personal settings inside of SOLIDWORKS. When I teach my go to statement is, “I’m going to show you several ways to do the same…
I’m a fan of SOLIDWORKS Design Tables when creating multiple configurations. I think it is an efficient way to design and especially if you are a fan of Microsoft Excel you will like it too. Check out our recent blog post on how to create…
SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard Zero Thickness Geometry Rebuild Error
By James Swackhammer on April 24, 2020
Oh no, a rebuild error has appeared reporting: “Unable to create this feature because it would result in zero-thickness geometry”. Has this ever happened to you when trying to insert a SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard hole? This most often happens when trying to place a hole…
SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal Curvature Overlaps
By James Swackhammer on April 17, 2020
Sometimes when you create a sheet metal design you must adhere to standard sheet metal sizes and what your company or outsourced company can cut on laser/plasma/water jet machines. Most companies will have tables large enough for a length of 120 inches but the lucky…
To Group or Not to Group items in SOLIDWORKS
By James Swackhammer on April 13, 2020
Like most Windows programs SOLIDWORKS allows you to group items together. But what are the benefits of grouping items? It will gather certain selected items together and when you move a grouped item all items in the group move together in the specified orientation. This…
How to Find Your Computer Name in Windows
By James Swackhammer on March 18, 2020
Did you know that your computer has a name? If you were unaware of this detail, now is the time to give your computer the virtual hand shake and introduce yourself. Every computer that deals with a network has a name and an IP address….
Designing a Homemade Workout Bench with SOLIDWORKS Weldments
By James Swackhammer on March 17, 2020
Given the global COVID-19 pandemic it has become taboo to be out in public. Now that my local gym and thousands of other gyms are closed to help prevent the spread of the virus that leaves us thinking, ‘what do we do if we want…
SOLIDWORKS Structure System Angle Identifier
By James Swackhammer on February 3, 2020
The latest feature to be added to the SOLIDWORKS Structure System is Angle Direction and Rotation. It can be quite handy to know what the mitre angle is and if it’s the same on both sides. Angle Direction and Rotation is displayed in the Cut-List…